Tutoring grade-schoolers is its own reward

St. Joseph's High students find experience fulfilling.

St. Joseph's High students find experience fulfilling.

March 28, 2006|LINDSEY HAB Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND -- For some students at St. Joseph's High School, taking time to volunteer to work with younger children is time well spent. That's why four years ago, the school established a tutoring program that has grown into a rewarding opportunity for both parties. The Glenn Rousey Education in Action Program, or GREIA, was named after Glenn Rousey, St. Joe's principal from 1980-1990 who died in 2000. The program is conducted at St. Joseph's Monday through Wednesday each week for an hour after school. However, there are also volunteers who travel to Holy Cross School twice a week where they tutor one of their largest groups of kids, around 25. It is during that time that St. Joseph's students work firsthand with fourth- and fifth-graders who have been recommended for assistance from any of the seven St. Joe feeder schools. Most of the students are those who struggled on the math or language arts portion of their ISTEP during third grade. However, any student recommended by a teacher or parent is welcome. When it comes to getting St. Joe students to volunteer, "There's been a really good response," said Kathy Downey, a faculty member at the school and one of the program's coordinators. In fact, there are students still waiting for kids they could tutor. While the younger kids who are struggling academically receive valuable help, St. Joe students gain something from the experience as well. "They develop this relationship with the kids," Downey said. "They see a young person look up to them." For sophomore Anne Dockery, volunteering as a tutor simply gives her a "good feeling." She knows what it is like to be in their shoes. "I always had trouble with math when I was younger," Dockery said. By volunteering she figured she, "could help someone else." For students like junior Eric Nowicki, volunteering to tutor means following in family footsteps. "My older brother did it," said Nowicki. And, "I like helping kids." The program is also a good way to help students discover any talents they may have for working with children. Lyss Welding, a sophomore volunteer, said that while she is unsure of her career path, tutoring may be helping to influence her toward becoming a teacher. "I found I really love tutoring and teaching," said Welding. "It is interesting to see how different kids learn different ways." Dockery felt the same. "I have thought about doing something with children. It (tutoring) has got me thinking about it." Having high school students reach out to those in elementary and show they care seems to have a "different incentive," said Downey when it comes to homework. Welding seems to agree, "It might be cooler than parents helping." Overall, the program seems to be beneficial for all involved. "It gets their feet wet in the world of service," said Downey. "St. Joe students have a real passion for serving the community. The tutoring program is just one way." Staff writer Lindsey Hab: lhab@sbtinfo.com